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Glen Helen receives federal energy grant

Antioch College was one of 14 Ohio recipients to share in $10.7 million in grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant: Local Governments and State Energy Program, state officials announced.

The College share – a $289,887 competitive grant – will be used to retrofit the Glen Helen Ecology Institute with several efficiency retrofits and to install a ground-source, 29-ton heat pump, the state announced.

“We've always felt that our buildings are as important for teaching about conservation as the natural areas of Glen Helen. Now, we'll be able to prove it,” Glen Helen Director Nick Boutis said.

Boutis said improvements would be made to the Glen Helen building and the Trailside Museum. Specifics improvements include: Installation of closed-loop geothermal heating/cooling systems; upgraded lighting and lighting controls; Installation of ultra-high efficiency windows; Insulated flooring installation; replacement of doors, with addition of an air-lock between levels of the building; Improving insulation of the block walls and roof membrane.

“These projects reinforce Ohio’s commitment to energy efficiency,” Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said when announcing the awards. “The awards announced today strengthen all sectors of Ohio’s economy to create jobs and lay a foundation for Ohio to lead the nation in the efficient use of electricity. We appreciate President Obama, and the members of Ohio’s congressional delegation who supported the Recovery Act, for their commitment to job creation in the growing energy industry.”

Thirteen institutions of higher education will use the funds to conduct energy audits, upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, replace lighting and windows in their buildings, and install renewable energy technologies at their campuses.